Kauaʻi record · KCA-IA-00152
Giant Whitefly
Aleurodicus dugesii
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About Giant Whitefly
Giant Whitefly (Aleurodicus dugesii) is a member of Aleyrodidae in the order Hemiptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.
Giant whitefly (Aleurodicus dugesii) is an introduced sap-feeding insect documented from Kauaʻi. Colonies develop mainly on leaf undersides, where adults lay eggs and immature stages feed on phloem; nymphs produce conspicuous wax and honeydew that can support sooty mold. It attacks many tropical and subtropical ornamentals and crops, including hibiscus, banana, avocado, mulberry, citrus, begonia, and bird-of-paradise relatives.
Kauaʻi occurrence evidence: Matsunaga, Howarth & Kumashiro (2019) Table 1 includes Kauaʻi island code 'Ka'; first-detection year shown as 2002; reported island distribution: Ha, Ka, Ma, Oa.
The cited occurrence evidence does not by itself establish current abundance or population trend on Kauaʻi.
Life cycle
Egg → mobile first-instar crawler → several sedentary nymphal instars → fourth-instar/pupal stage → winged adult.
Habitat
Gardens, nurseries, landscapes, orchards, and other sites containing susceptible broadleaf host plants.
Food and ecological role
Phloem sap from a broad host range; nymphs and adults feed on leaves, often in dense colonies.
Reproduction
Females lay eggs on foliage, often in characteristic patterns; warm weather can support rapid population growth.
Movement
Adults fly locally; infested nursery plants and plant material are important human-assisted pathways.
Ecosystem role
Introduced phloem feeder and honeydew producer on ornamental and crop plants.
Threats and impacts
Heavy infestations can weaken plants, foul foliage with wax and honeydew, and promote sooty mold.
Monitoring
Inspect undersides of leaves for waxy spirals, nymphs and honeydew; record host species and natural-enemy activity.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Aleurodicus dugesii
- Common names
- Giant Whitefly
- Family
- Aleyrodidae
- Order
- Hemiptera
- Record type
- species
Kauaʻi occurrence and status
- Kauaʻi occurrence
- Present
- Origin
- Introduced
- Conservation status
- Not assessed
Process and seasonal context
- Seasonal description
- Giant Whitefly (Aleurodicus dugesii) is a member of Aleyrodidae in the order Hemiptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.